Sundry items

[helwen]

Went for two walks today. One this morning to the nearer post office. Since I was just mailing a book order and not having to check the box, no need to go to the office at the mall.

Then this afternoon fitzw and I walked to the farmers market again. It's still a bit small, but the veggie people were there, so we got a couple more zucchini, a yellow squash, and a small bunch of asparagus. Also, from Berkshire Mtn Bakery, we got a loaf of sunny flax bread, and a couple of small herb chiabatta with dark chocolate. I think the latter will be breakfast tomorrow...

EDIT: fitzw and I talked about gas usage, and that if we had a car that got even a little better mileage, we would have been under 500 gallons. Which is true. A typical mid-size vehicle getting 35mpg, would have used 427 gallons. So, food for thought on possibly car shopping this year.

Over 4 miles walked between the two times. Yay!

I believe I've boxed the majority of the books we're putting away for the year, as of yesterday. Maybe one more box over the summer...

More laundry happened today. Nice sunny breezy day.

Spent less time on the PC today, and hope to spend even less tomorrow. I feel mostly caught up with the new 90% Reduction list, as well as comments on The Archdruid Report's latest essay. And wonder of wonders, I can actually follow most of what they're talking about.

Starting to pine for my little loom, but there's still work to be done around the house, tidying up so we can get back to renovations. And photos to take, print and send to Ashfield for the fall festival. And I should do some more reading of books... I think there's a poem hiding out, just waiting to pop up in the middle of my reading...

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Very well done on the walking! Do you have a pack basket? Someone linked to http://www.basketville.com/Merchant2/merchant.
mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BV&Category_Code=Zwall201
today.

Dont forget to factor in the consumerism costs of replacing the car with something more efficient. It may be more costly over the X years your current vehicle will still be viable for to replace it now than to squeeze every useful moment out of what you already own.

I count every time I start the car as 5$ in repairs and future fees. Simply reducing local usage while reserving the vehicle for major outings and lining up your usage does so much already, as it is the worst gallons, the cold miles you are trying to eliminate. Yes, I am well over 500 gallons, but I have to give values and weight the gallons as to purpose as well.

I have also recently begun to pack the bicycle for certain shopping runs, parking the car in a central place and returning to it when it makes sense, rather than moving the car less than a mile for each stop.

When I do go in certain directions ( we are on a highway hub ) I call a couple of people to see if they need anything. They usually dont, but any trip averted is worthwhile.

I'm so inspired by what you have been doing. Almost all of this is in some way flavored by your posts. Economy is easier in a group with social support.

Hugs!

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Nice basket! We have something similar, sometimes use that, mostly at Pennsic though. It's a big one so I don't like to use it much myself. I usually use a cloth backpack with padded shoulder straps.

The walking is much easier than it was a few months ago, even with many of the same little aches and pains :) But I know as I get in better shape and lose some weight, it will get even better and easier. Been doing more energy healing work lately too, which seems to be keeping things to a dull roar. Yay! I seriously look forward to not feeling like a whiner all the time :P

I'm going to try riding the bike again, as my arm is being a little better behaved. We have a friend, Eli, who is a serious biker. He has a vision problem so no driving for him, but he hasn't let that stop him from hitting the road. Don't know if I'll ever bike as far as he does, but it would be nice to work up to 9 or 10 miles by the end of summer.

Good thoughts on vehicles. We're actually still paying for this one, so that's another consideration. Especially good point on saving on 'cold miles'; hadn't thought of it in that way specifically, just trying to save where it's feasible.

ellid had some good suggestions for holding choir practice at her place, and if we can work out the details, I think we might go for it. Plus, her piano's actually in tune...

I think at this point we're doing a good job of inspiring each other! I've been reading about your efforts with great interest, and cheering all the way. At the rate we're both going, we may not recognize each other by the time we see each other again.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I remembered another huge factor in gallons per year: driving style. I grew up driving a 4 barrel carb chevy stick. It was a beast, 7 mpg.
Stick taught me interesting skills to save fuel and energy. I learned to coast the car, to anticipate, to corner differently, and to avoid brake use as much as possible. I have found I can squeeze an extra three miles per gallon out by driving slowly and planning my turns. Sometimes the long route has fewer stopsigns or train tracks, so I choose them, to avoid accelerating.

On improving weekly mileage: do not increase more than 25% on a given excursion from your norm, or more than 10% over last week's norm each week overall. ( did that make sense? )
If you are doing 5 miles per day 3 days a week, you can safely stretch to 6.5 one day, or 5.5 for those three days the next week. It adds up quick! Just going around the block one more time ( pedaling ) before going home makes me feel like I have accomplished a feat.

Cheers to you both!

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

( warning! NEVER trust my math! )

[helwen.livejournal.com]

LOL!

But good advice, nonetheless. In a way, I doubled what I usually walk, but with the long break in-between it was okay. Tomorrow though, I only plan on walking to Stop & Shop (forgot chili powder), which is just a little under 2 miles if I walk it straight. Should even out overall.

[flidaisairmid.livejournal.com]

I envy you with your Farmers Market. We have one. They consist of 3 Avon Dealers, a Community Info booth, a Mary Kay dealer and a person who sells homemade bread at 6 dollars a loaf. Its an improvement over previous years , where there were several flea market/garage sale type booths and a piano teacher trying to drum up business.

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a better one might be found at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm?
If not, call your ag agent or extension?

That does suck, I hope it gets better.

[flidaisairmid.livejournal.com]

Ours is listed on there- and they don't have a single scrap of actual produce there. Sadly the others are not much better. Farms here have been largely squeezed out by development- meaning you can get a Starbucks on every block but you will need to drive about an hour to get to any kind of non corporate farm. Let alone organic farm.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's a tough situation :(

I feel kind of guilty now... we have a few CSAs, multiple dairy and poultry places (granted I wouldn't be able to buy from all of them -- can't fit a whole cow in the freezer, and don't really want to), and half a dozen farmers markets within 10-15 miles of here. We're living in a pretty different area than you, though. Western Mass has cities, but with space around and between them for growing stuff. Part of the area's charm (read 'tourism'), but we like it.

Sounds like a few decent markets should be on your house-hunting list, when you get to the point of being able to do that.

Thinking positive thoughts!

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

It was like that here for a very long time as well. My best wishes for a good influx of neat resources in the near future.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

EDIT: fitzw and I talked about gas usage, and that if we had a car that got even a little better mileage, we would have been under 500 gallons. Which is true. A typical mid-size vehicle getting 35mpg, would have used 427 gallons. So, food for thought on possibly car shopping this year.

Best value, according to my mechanic: a Toyota Camry. Great mileage, almost never break down, can easily get 200,000 miles. I also know people who swear by Subaru Outbacks, which have four wheel drive, wear well, and hold a *lot* of stuff.